D. BRYCE ON THE ADINETADiE. 151 



The great divergence of this species from the Adinetas already 

 known ought, perhaps, to entitle it to be placed in a new 

 genus, but in the anticipation of further variations from the 

 type being found, T prefer to postpone any definition of suitable 

 generic characters. There is little to add to the specific 

 characters detailed. The sucker-like foot seems to link the 

 species to Discopus, the remarkable marine parasitic genus. 

 It appeared to consist of one stout upper joint, ending in a 

 circular disc, which was applied to the glass, a second joint 

 being represented by a mere skinfold, having the lateral and 

 dorsal (i.e., posterior) margins furnished with ten small pro- 

 cesses, in place of the usual spurs ; while from the centre of 

 the disc were pushed out momentarily, in the act of taking 

 hold, the usual small lower foot-joints. The animal seemed to 

 have no power of rapid movement, but slowly extended and 

 clumsily crawled about, without a trace of the gliding motion 

 so noticeable in the other species, and this halting awkward 

 gait has suggested the specific name assigned to it. The 

 mastax was rather small and appeared to have two teeth on 

 each ramus. The skin on the ventral side of the neck seemed 

 always to partially cover the face, and was prominent and 

 ridge-like, somewhat hard and rough on the edge. In feeding 

 there seemed a distinct scraping of the food surface, the central 

 line of the face being lifted and made concave, and the 

 roughened edges of the neck-skin approaching each other funnel- 

 wise, much more distinctly'- than I have seen it in ^. vaga. 



Length, about ijg-th inch. 



Habitat, moss. 



For this species I am indebted to a fellow-member of this 

 Club, Mr. G. S. Marryatt, who very courteously offered to 

 procure for me some liver-mosses, and who sent me a quantity 

 of various descriptions from Garelochhead, IST.B., in the spring 

 of this year. One specimen only was found, and, unfortu- 

 nately, my opportunities for its examination were small, as I 

 failed to keep it more than a week, and it was very averse to 

 the needful illumination. 



Description of Figures. Plate XI. 

 1. Adineta clauda, dorsal view. 

 la. Ventral aspect of head. 

 16. Ventral aspect of foot. 



